Sunday 9th September 2012 – Doncaster League

Harworth Colliery Under 12s 5 Retford United Under 12s 2
(Half Time 2-0)

First Goal: Callum Jones (Assists: Liam Bland and Matthew Shaw)
Second Goal: Liam Bland (Assist: Ryan Wright and Ben Mills)

Man of the Match: Peter Voase

Retford United Under 12s started the 2012-2013 season with a trip to local rivals, Harworth Colliery. Last season Retford and Harworth respectively finished 5th and 7th in the tough Under 11s Doncaster League Second Division which also included strong teams from Ordsall Rangers, Dunscroft Welfare, Mexborough Rovers, South Kirkby Knights and Mexborough Rangers. In the final league table there were only three points separating South Kirkby Knights in 4th place and Harworth Colliery in 7th. Retford and Harworth have had many good battles over the last few seasons and it is usually the away team that comes away with three points. Unfortunately, Retford could not secure a hat-trick of away wins but they gave Harworth a good competitive game and possession was evenly shared between the two sides.

Retford’s squad had undergone some changes but nine players still remained from last season. They were joined by former Retford United goalkeeper, Ben Mills, who has returned as an outfield player and two younger players, Mason Allot and Jacob Screeton.

Harworth had the early pressure and Ethan Farrow in goal showed why he was last year’s player of the season by making a couple of fine saves to deny Harworth. He tipped one shot over the bar and another by the post. Retford then had chances to score with Callum Jones, Matthew Shaw and Ryan Wright testing the Harworth keeper out with shots from the edge of the area. Harworth took the lead in the 17th minute when a free kick was saved by Ethan but a Harworth attacker followed up to tap the ball home. Harworth’s No 8 then dribbled through the Retford defence to score an excellent second goal. Retford should have pulled one goal back just before half time after excellent passing between Liam Bland and Jacob Baines but Matthew could not get his head on Liam’s cross.

Retford did pull a goal back after 37 minutes after good play by Matthew on the left who beat a couple of defenders before laying a ball back to Liam. Liam crossed the ball into the area and Callum was on the far post to knock the ball into the net. Harworth came straight back on the attack and made it 4-1 with two quick goals that came through the centre of Retford’s defence. They then luckily made it 5-1 from a corner when Ben Mill’s header hit a Harworth attacker on the back of the head and rebounded into the net. Retford continued to press forward and Matthew fired two shots into the sidenetting and had a free kick well saved. Retford were eventually rewarded with another goal when Ben’s clearance into the corner was charged down by Ryan and the ball bounced free to Liam to prod past the keeper for a consolation goal. Man of the Match was Peter Voase who let nobody past him on the left hand side of defence. Ben looked good in the centre of defence in the second half and Mason and Jacob S put in promising performances on their debut against good opponents. Retford’s weakness was their traditional weakness of not having enough out and out defenders in their squad which does put pressure on the defence. However, Retford’s attacking style of play does guarantee plenty of goals for the spectators.

Well done to the lads from Harworth Colliery for their victory. If they can maintain this form then they should be challenging for promotion this season.

League Position: 9th (0 Points)